New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-13

A BAvARIAN INVITED TO DIRECT IT.


DIR. MAYR GIVES MANY VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS
REGARDING AMERICAN FORESTS.
few days ago, without any flourish of announcement
or departure, qnct, scholarly gentleman IN the ygor
early manhood passed through this city on an import.
ant mission To Japan. where be Is to give instruction
the science and practice of forestry known
schools of Europe, and to direct
forest policy OF tie Empire DR. Heinrich Mayr is
forest officer of the Bavaran Government and lecturer
sylyiculture in the University of Munich. Two
years he crossed the United through the Lake
zion aud the Northwest to Oregon ana he now pro-
poses study the Southern forests going through the
Allegheny and crossing Texas to California This
IS in preparation for a report to his Government on
American forests from san Francisco he will sail to
Japan, where he will be Professor of syvic1tdrc and
Forest Botany in the University OF Toxic besides taking
charge of the Empire during
extended leave of absence from his post in Bavaria
s.In reply to inquiries by TRIBUNE reporter Dr.
Mayr said that although there abundant timber in
Japan and wonderful richness arborcscent species
when compared with tie sylvia of Europe, stll serious
nroals had been made upon the forest wealth OF the
Empire. During the civil many forests owned by
the DaiiniOs were destroyed, ana the Government i'll
tended to restore them. Besides this, many OF tie
mountain slopes although ,thchly wooded were clothed
with species not esteemed valuable There vast
stretches Of beeclwOols the trees being apparently
identical botancaly with the European beech although
thewOod IS lighter color. Beech is considered useful
wood In Europe, but there many better kin in
Japan and the Government proposes substitute
OF these for the inferior species.
VALUABLE TIMBER TREES
Notable among the valuable timber trees is tho
cryp0mesa, confer specimens of which not
Ia the ornamental plantations Of this country few Of
them are growing in the Rampe Of Central Park This
tree Is closely allied to the American uOas the rel
wood and the big trees When a traveller fresh from tho
serras first forest OF cryp,omera will have
Thought than they identical with the
American They have. all the good qualities
of relwOol-liSht strdi sht grained, easily worAei
durable.
Besides these species OF plancra, Of the oaks
and pcriap, other dcciuous trees Will be used to
supplant the beech 1t will be a delicate undertaking
make such a sweeping transformation in the forest
growth large without causing violent disturb
ance in the natural forces which have been adjusting
themselves into balance durin; centuries. But the
japanese Government appreciates this ana preparing
for the work most thoroughly and cautiously. When
asked II Japan hal get suffered Of those physical
disasters which have followed the decreasing OF high
lands in other countries, d. Mayr said:
OH yes. This preparation for timber supply IL
only for the present interest IN forestry in
Japan. The growth of railroads opening mp new
products ami means for transporting
:hom Is imne Hate occasion for this sharp looking
after their resources by lon yslghte business people.
But the country Is already suffering from torrents whero
the wood has been stripped from the high slopes. Tho
calamity is serious it is in other parts OF tho
world, In southeastern France for instance, where
millions literally expended every year in an almost
hopeless struggle with devastating Hoods.
WASHING SOIL FROM THE VI pUNTATNs
Bat what happened an /, plainly threatened has
decided the Government TO take prompt action and re-
the bare heights. Near Kioto. for example.
within less than fifty the forest has been cleared
from portion OF the high mountains about the city, and
the result is evident The river flowing down from
Of, lf.la MI -iptr nj
miles to the began to roll down moro oosenoI
and gravel and earth after the rainy season had
swollen it, As the river bed was lifted by this deposit
people restrain it from Overlooking the plains
either side began TO build barriers its banks Then
more woods fcllei the torrent became
sudden and violent. owing TO decreased obstruction.
The waterway gradually filed in with washns from
the mountain. compelling another and another embans
nent either side as the bottom raised untii now
the stream runs between artificial banks the top OF
a long straight causeway hfty feet high.
All this is recent a japanese gentleman told me
that only few years he had from his house fine
OF the sea, bat now this water prospect with its
ships in the otng quite shut by the river which
had built this mountain across the plain How
rapidly the mountain is carried downward can be meas
ured by the belt of fresh surface the base of project
ing rocks. The surface this belt is not rotted
weather stained showing that 1t has recently been
covered 1t Will not be difficult to this
destruction before the soil is mainly swept away it
has In places in France and northern Italy
There yet abundant soil 10 furnish roothod for trees.
ana after years protection they will help keep
the mountain from melting INTO the valley
THE DANGER IN THIS COUNTRY.
In reply 10 question to.the probability OF danger
I'm this country from reckless of forests Dr.
Mayr replied do not how you hope 10 escape
from the penalty of violated law. The results OF cut
ting the timber from the Of your streams
plainly stated 10 American readers by the Hon George
L. Marsh in his wcllknown work nearly twenty-five
years All experience historical ani recent shows
what must follow when the mountains are cleared.
There theories To the supposed influence OF forests
on rainfall which cannot be demonstrated. No doubt
too incorporate statements threatened dangers
sometimes made by men who have not given careful
study these questions. but the fact OF the danger
mains.
whether there Is any cause alarm in the present
condition of your forests is question for those more
familiar than | with the facts of the case Many
thoughtful Americans are investigating these problems.
and they are perfectly competent to In gen.
eral should say that your danger would first come
where there high mountains whose tanks and crests
can be used for agricultural purposes. Cutting away
timber on mountains In this climate where rapidly
reproduce themselves II left alone and the fire kept
AWAY, may bring al inferior kind OF timber but even
this viii suffice postpone the DANGER OF Hoods But IN
some places California. say. where vineyards will
flourish the mountains and where there i tempta.
would appear that danger could not be far away.
Perhaps the fertile soils hear OF the slopes of your
danger although they thicky WOO led. .
AZ WAS discovered "a rsw years ago that coffee would
grow high up the mountains OF Ccyon and the woods
were cleared away for plantations, Bu. in very few
veor. the soil was washed away fton the roots of the
flee trees leaving them entirely above ground In
devastated areas they are now settlhs our tea
pans but requires GIFT OF prophecy 10 toisec that
In nfty wears these slopes Will pc desoafions
have spoken of the rapidy with which your forests
produce themselves here, but do not forget That west OF
you great plains the slopes II the continental divide
IRE forests which will not start agItn IL cut away
and eit To themselves and these OF need peculiar
treatment has been pointed ont 10y Professor sargent
mi other authorities And where forests start AZ
,nce IL left themselves. am told that the fire too
rarely gives them this privilege"